Stability control system
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 10,112
Likes: 2
From: Banbury, Oxfordshire
Originally Posted by lordjimimac,Oct 24 2007, 01:34 AM
it was a plus for me as i my girlfriend enjoys driving her mx5 hard and i wanted to switch this on when she used the s
Traction control (just cuts the power) is not the same as the full VSA which can brake different wheels and help get you round the corner. The thing is, if you don't get used to sliding the rear of this car around when you want to, you probably won't cope when it slides when you don't want it to. And TC only helps with one specific circumstance.
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
I tend to agree with Dembo on that. But yes, the S2000 does take a rare degree of sensitivity to drive effectively.
However, like ABS, it's a useful device, so long as it's switchable. Which is when ABS becomes a PIA too. I rarely find either actually activates more than a blink, if they're correctly set up.
I also notice that Tiffany Dell was using TC as a learning device on that Ferrari XR3i ST thingy he was having fun with 'round Fiorano. He turned it off once he'd got the feel.
However, like ABS, it's a useful device, so long as it's switchable. Which is when ABS becomes a PIA too. I rarely find either actually activates more than a blink, if they're correctly set up.
I also notice that Tiffany Dell was using TC as a learning device on that Ferrari XR3i ST thingy he was having fun with 'round Fiorano. He turned it off once he'd got the feel.
You can still do bad things with steering, brakes and gear changes.
Registered User
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 7,467
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From: Nottingham
Traction control is different to the Honda VSA system.
VSA cannot be retro ftted and does a whole lot more than traction control.
"Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) is designed to counteract understeer and oversteer tendencies through a combination of individual wheel braking and engine torque reduction. The Teves supplied system also incorporates a Drive By Wire (DBW) throttle".
Traction control generally just controls power to stop wheelspin.
I have driven a couple of Honda's with VSA on Prodrive's skid pan and it really is excellent.
VSA cannot be retro ftted and does a whole lot more than traction control.
"Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) is designed to counteract understeer and oversteer tendencies through a combination of individual wheel braking and engine torque reduction. The Teves supplied system also incorporates a Drive By Wire (DBW) throttle".
Traction control generally just controls power to stop wheelspin.
I have driven a couple of Honda's with VSA on Prodrive's skid pan and it really is excellent.
Registered User
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 139
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theres two aspects to TC in my view:
1) protecting the car and driver if you allow someone who is not use to rwd cars drive the s in the wet
2) helping more enthusiastic drivers get more out of the car
I would happily agree with you Dembo about 2), but for me the racelogic serves 1) very well indeed
1) protecting the car and driver if you allow someone who is not use to rwd cars drive the s in the wet
2) helping more enthusiastic drivers get more out of the car
I would happily agree with you Dembo about 2), but for me the racelogic serves 1) very well indeed
Registered User
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 2,589
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A few quotes from the Racelogic site.
Another tool in the box?
Hi... I had an adjustable traction control unit fitted to my MKIV Supra about eight months ago and its performance on the road has been remarkable. With this in mind I booked myself on a track day arranged by the UK Supras club and despite the un-modified state of my car I was able to keep up with other Supra owners with a 50-100 bhp advantage.....indeed one 450bhp car driver commented to me that I left him behind on every single corner and he couldn't catch me up on the straights despite his obvious power advantage. It's rare for me buy anything that surpasses my expectations and this certainly does......I wholeheartedly recommend this system. Congratulations on an excellent product!
Last night, I had a drive of Peter's car. I must admit that I was sceptical about the benefits the Racelogic system could give me on the road, but take this as an independent judgement - it's flippin' good.
There's an in-car adjuster for different levels of slip, something like 5%, 10%, 20%, a 'Wet' setting, and Off. Peter drove first showing me how the traction control behaved under different circumstances. He was able to corner quicker than I thought possible, and these roads were cold and damp.
We then came to a slow S bend. Peter stuck the car in 2nd and gave it full throttle. In a normally aspirated car, the back end would have been everywhere. In a forced induction car like this, we would have normally been through the hedge. To my amazement (I was expecting to be picking foliage out of the car), the tail came out a small amount, and through the bends we went. Next up was a roundabout that crosses a motorway junction. It was greasy round half of it. Again, Peter did something I would never have dreamed of - full throttle. The car continuted round the roundabout, accelerating and under full control. I was stunned.
We swapped seats and I had a go. It's quite an alien feeling keeping your foot in when experience from driving tells you that you should be off the gas not on it. After some encouragement from Peter, I opened up the throttle in 2nd on the roundabout. My brain was telling me that the impending car / barrier interface was going to hurt, but the car just carried on round the roundabout, no sweat. One thing you do have to remember is to stay on the gas - the racelogic system cannot help you if you lift off, as I found out when I did so. It was only at about 30 mph, but the car just went into a four wheel slide. The previous lap of the roundabout, we were cornering on the gas at 50+!
I'm sure Peter would be more than happy to show this system to anyone. Put it this way - had I not sold my car, I would have had it installed on the strength of a 15 minute demo last night.
There's an in-car adjuster for different levels of slip, something like 5%, 10%, 20%, a 'Wet' setting, and Off. Peter drove first showing me how the traction control behaved under different circumstances. He was able to corner quicker than I thought possible, and these roads were cold and damp.
We then came to a slow S bend. Peter stuck the car in 2nd and gave it full throttle. In a normally aspirated car, the back end would have been everywhere. In a forced induction car like this, we would have normally been through the hedge. To my amazement (I was expecting to be picking foliage out of the car), the tail came out a small amount, and through the bends we went. Next up was a roundabout that crosses a motorway junction. It was greasy round half of it. Again, Peter did something I would never have dreamed of - full throttle. The car continuted round the roundabout, accelerating and under full control. I was stunned.
We swapped seats and I had a go. It's quite an alien feeling keeping your foot in when experience from driving tells you that you should be off the gas not on it. After some encouragement from Peter, I opened up the throttle in 2nd on the roundabout. My brain was telling me that the impending car / barrier interface was going to hurt, but the car just carried on round the roundabout, no sweat. One thing you do have to remember is to stay on the gas - the racelogic system cannot help you if you lift off, as I found out when I did so. It was only at about 30 mph, but the car just went into a four wheel slide. The previous lap of the roundabout, we were cornering on the gas at 50+!
I'm sure Peter would be more than happy to show this system to anyone. Put it this way - had I not sold my car, I would have had it installed on the strength of a 15 minute demo last night.
"Without it, you used to be scared of pushing too hard in case you spun, but now the system gives you the confidence to slide because you know they will help you bring it back."
Eddie Irvine
"Traction control allows you to push harder and you certainly go faster as a result"
Michael Schumacher
Eddie Irvine
"Traction control allows you to push harder and you certainly go faster as a result"
Michael Schumacher
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 31,181
Likes: 58
From: Hertford
That is exactly the same problem as SH-AWD (only without the weight);
You have to not panic & lift off, which most will do, causing a spin/slide.
And if you've got the presence of mind to keep the car on a 'balanced' throttle & let go of the wheel, you probably don't need TC/VSA!
Unless you're driving at 11/10, that is.
You have to not panic & lift off, which most will do, causing a spin/slide.
And if you've got the presence of mind to keep the car on a 'balanced' throttle & let go of the wheel, you probably don't need TC/VSA!
Unless you're driving at 11/10, that is.
